Contact Seller
The Vintage Wrist Watch Company
Tel01386 750238Please quote Antiques Atlas.
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Non UK callers :
+44 1386 750238
Antique silver Borgel trench watch with history
Antique silver Borgel cased trench watch with history.
The watch has Swiss hand-winding movement which is working nicely. We believe this to be a Fabrique d'Horlogerie de Fontainemelon movement.
The watch measures 34.5mm diameter excluding the winding crown and the fixed wire lugs. The case is silver and it has hallmarks for London 1917 together with a sponsor’s mark for Arthur Rendell. In 1907, an act came into force which meant that all imported watches had to be assayed in a UK assay office and marked with British import hallmarks. For this, a sponsor's mark was required. In this particular case, Arthur Rendell was an employee, and probably in charge, of the department that handled imported watches at a company called Pringles, the UK's largest wholesalers of antique jewellery, silverware, antique clocks and watches, so it was deemed relevant to use his initials.
The inside of the case back also has the mark for François Borgel. He was a very successful inventor and business man, and his company became one of the most important watch case manufacturers of its time. He advertised his screw watch case, such as this example, as "imperméable", which means that he considered his screw case to be waterproof . Early adopters of the Borgel screw case included Longines and IWC. After François Borgel’s death in 1912, the business was carried on by his daughter Louisa. As with any vintage watch, however, we would not recommend that it is treated as still being waterproof or even water protected.
The case is in good condition, just a couple of slithers of silver missing from the bezel but you have to look very closely to see it. The back of the watch is engraved J H Early, Witney. This is believed to be James Harold Early, director of Charles Early & Co of Witney Mills, Oxford, English blanket makers producting some 700,000 blankets a year during the World War 2 era.
Mr Early was heavily involved in local issues and organisations being on the MMS Committee and President of the Methodist Laymen's Missionary Movement (later known as Methodists for World Mission) in 1939 and he was also involved with the Boys' Brigade. He regularly organised Boys' Brigade camps on the Isle of Wight assisted by Brigade leaders from London. Witney Boys' Brigade would go to camp for two weeks each year. James would sometimes stay for six weeks organising the camp, and occasionally took his family. At the outbreak of the First World War, James Harold Early along with other old Boys' Brigade men from Witney volunteered and joined the Oxfordshire and Buckinghamshire Light Infantry. James was severely wounded in 1915 he convalesced at home and was due to return to the front when the armistice was declared.
A listing taken from the London Gazette of December 1915 lists James Harold Early to be Second Lieutenant, The Oxfordshire and Buckinghamshire Light Infantry.
The Temperance movement ideals were taken up by several mill owners such as James Harold Early, who having taken the pledge maintained a teetotal household at his home in Newland. It is told that when blanket buyers came to his house for lunch, they thought they were going to get cider to drink and were disappointed to receive a non-alcoholic equivalent known as 'Cyrax'.
In 1922 James Harold Early stood unsuccessfully as a Liberal candidate in Banbury.
He passed away in 1958 aged 77.
The lens is in lovely condition.
The dial has some damage around the centre of the subsidiary seconds dial but otherwise is in good condition. Original pin-set hands, a subsidiary seconds dial and outer minute track.
A new leather strap has been fitted.
The watch comes in a new presentation box.
ALL PRICES INCLUDE UK POSTAGE (excluding Northern Ireland).
Please contact us before placing international orders so that we can advise of shipping prices and to see if customs regulations allow us to post watches to your country.
The international buyer is responsible for paying any import duties and taxes.
All of our watches are checked over before listing, and are also checked for accuracy which is usually within around +/- two to three minutes over 24 hours (unless otherwise stated), which is considered respectable for a vintage watch.
We are a VAT registered company and all purchases are covered by Consumer Regulations.
Credit / debit card purchases can be made over the telephone on 01386 750238 or you can proceed via the \'Buy Securely\' button on each listing page.
We are an on-line only business and do not have facilities for callers. Our offices are open from Monday to Friday 9am to 5pm.
With regards to appraisals / valuations, we receive a huge number of information requests each day and unfortunately do not have the manpower to deal with them all individually. Our advice would be to contact a local auctioneer for a full appraisal.
SellerThe Vintage Wrist Watch Company
View all stock from
The Vintage Wrist Watch Company
Private dealer
By appointment only
Worcestershire
England
Tel : 01386 750238
Non UK callers : +44 1386 750238
The watch has Swiss hand-winding movement which is working nicely. We believe this to be a Fabrique d'Horlogerie de Fontainemelon movement.
The watch measures 34.5mm diameter excluding the winding crown and the fixed wire lugs. The case is silver and it has hallmarks for London 1917 together with a sponsor’s mark for Arthur Rendell. In 1907, an act came into force which meant that all imported watches had to be assayed in a UK assay office and marked with British import hallmarks. For this, a sponsor's mark was required. In this particular case, Arthur Rendell was an employee, and probably in charge, of the department that handled imported watches at a company called Pringles, the UK's largest wholesalers of antique jewellery, silverware, antique clocks and watches, so it was deemed relevant to use his initials.
The inside of the case back also has the mark for François Borgel. He was a very successful inventor and business man, and his company became one of the most important watch case manufacturers of its time. He advertised his screw watch case, such as this example, as "imperméable", which means that he considered his screw case to be waterproof . Early adopters of the Borgel screw case included Longines and IWC. After François Borgel’s death in 1912, the business was carried on by his daughter Louisa. As with any vintage watch, however, we would not recommend that it is treated as still being waterproof or even water protected.
The case is in good condition, just a couple of slithers of silver missing from the bezel but you have to look very closely to see it. The back of the watch is engraved J H Early, Witney. This is believed to be James Harold Early, director of Charles Early & Co of Witney Mills, Oxford, English blanket makers producting some 700,000 blankets a year during the World War 2 era.
Mr Early was heavily involved in local issues and organisations being on the MMS Committee and President of the Methodist Laymen's Missionary Movement (later known as Methodists for World Mission) in 1939 and he was also involved with the Boys' Brigade. He regularly organised Boys' Brigade camps on the Isle of Wight assisted by Brigade leaders from London. Witney Boys' Brigade would go to camp for two weeks each year. James would sometimes stay for six weeks organising the camp, and occasionally took his family. At the outbreak of the First World War, James Harold Early along with other old Boys' Brigade men from Witney volunteered and joined the Oxfordshire and Buckinghamshire Light Infantry. James was severely wounded in 1915 he convalesced at home and was due to return to the front when the armistice was declared.
A listing taken from the London Gazette of December 1915 lists James Harold Early to be Second Lieutenant, The Oxfordshire and Buckinghamshire Light Infantry.
The Temperance movement ideals were taken up by several mill owners such as James Harold Early, who having taken the pledge maintained a teetotal household at his home in Newland. It is told that when blanket buyers came to his house for lunch, they thought they were going to get cider to drink and were disappointed to receive a non-alcoholic equivalent known as 'Cyrax'.
In 1922 James Harold Early stood unsuccessfully as a Liberal candidate in Banbury.
He passed away in 1958 aged 77.
The lens is in lovely condition.
The dial has some damage around the centre of the subsidiary seconds dial but otherwise is in good condition. Original pin-set hands, a subsidiary seconds dial and outer minute track.
A new leather strap has been fitted.
The watch comes in a new presentation box.
ALL PRICES INCLUDE UK POSTAGE (excluding Northern Ireland).
Please contact us before placing international orders so that we can advise of shipping prices and to see if customs regulations allow us to post watches to your country.
The international buyer is responsible for paying any import duties and taxes.
All of our watches are checked over before listing, and are also checked for accuracy which is usually within around +/- two to three minutes over 24 hours (unless otherwise stated), which is considered respectable for a vintage watch.
We are a VAT registered company and all purchases are covered by Consumer Regulations.
Credit / debit card purchases can be made over the telephone on 01386 750238 or you can proceed via the \'Buy Securely\' button on each listing page.
We are an on-line only business and do not have facilities for callers. Our offices are open from Monday to Friday 9am to 5pm.
With regards to appraisals / valuations, we receive a huge number of information requests each day and unfortunately do not have the manpower to deal with them all individually. Our advice would be to contact a local auctioneer for a full appraisal.
Price The price has been listed in British Pounds.
Conversion rates as of 3/JUN/2026. Euro & Dollar prices will vary and should only be used as a guide.
Always confirm final price with dealer. SOLD
Category Antique and Vintage Watches
Date 1917
1910s Antiques Material Silver
Origin Swiss
Maker Borgel
Item code as170a14676
Status Sold
£0 
$0.00 
€0.00 
$
€
Conversion rates as of 3/JUN/2026. Euro & Dollar prices will vary and should only be used as a guide.
Always confirm final price with dealer. SOLD
Shipping information
ALL PRICES INCLUDE UK POSTAGE (excluding Northern Ireland).
Please contact us before placing international orders so that we can advise of shipping prices and to see if customs regulations allow us to post watches to your country.
The international buyer is responsible for paying any import duties and taxes.
Please contact us before placing international orders so that we can advise of shipping prices and to see if customs regulations allow us to post watches to your country.
The international buyer is responsible for paying any import duties and taxes.
Terms and conditions
ALL PRICES INCLUDE UK POSTAGE (excluding Northern Ireland).
Please contact us before placing international orders so that we can advise of shipping prices and to see if customs regulations allow us to post watches to your country. Please contact us in the first instance, any orders from prohibited countries will be refunded, less any payment fees which are non-refundable.
The international buyer is responsible for paying any import duties and taxes. If the customer refuses to pay any duty and customs charges and the parcel is returned to sender all shipping and associated charges will be deducted from any refund.
All of our watches are checked over before listing, and are also checked for accuracy which is usually within around +/- two to three minutes over 24 hours (unless otherwise stated), which is considered respectable for a vintage watch.
We are a VAT registered company and all purchases are covered by Consumer Regulations.
Credit / debit card purchases up to £300 can be made over the telephone on 01386750238 or you can proceed via the Buy Securely button on each listing page.
We are an on-line only business and do not have facilities for callers. Our offices are open from Monday to Friday 9am to 5pm.
With regards to appraisals / valuations, we receive a huge number of information requests each day and unfortunately do not have the manpower to deal with them all individually. Our advice would be to contact a local auctioneer for a full appraisal.
Please contact us before placing international orders so that we can advise of shipping prices and to see if customs regulations allow us to post watches to your country. Please contact us in the first instance, any orders from prohibited countries will be refunded, less any payment fees which are non-refundable.
The international buyer is responsible for paying any import duties and taxes. If the customer refuses to pay any duty and customs charges and the parcel is returned to sender all shipping and associated charges will be deducted from any refund.
All of our watches are checked over before listing, and are also checked for accuracy which is usually within around +/- two to three minutes over 24 hours (unless otherwise stated), which is considered respectable for a vintage watch.
We are a VAT registered company and all purchases are covered by Consumer Regulations.
Credit / debit card purchases up to £300 can be made over the telephone on 01386750238 or you can proceed via the Buy Securely button on each listing page.
We are an on-line only business and do not have facilities for callers. Our offices are open from Monday to Friday 9am to 5pm.
With regards to appraisals / valuations, we receive a huge number of information requests each day and unfortunately do not have the manpower to deal with them all individually. Our advice would be to contact a local auctioneer for a full appraisal.
View all stock from
The Vintage Wrist Watch Company
Private dealerBy appointment only
Worcestershire
England
Tel : 01386 750238
Non UK callers : +44 1386 750238
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